Red Beryl is an exceptionally rare variety of beryl colored by manganese, found almost exclusively in the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah. It typically occurs as small, sharp, hexagonal prismatic crystals embedded in cavities within rhyolitic lava flows. Due to its extreme rarity compared to emerald or aquamarine, high-quality specimens are highly coveted by advanced mineral collectors and gem connoisseurs.
Is this red beryl?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch red beryl with a known reference. Red Beryl sits at Mohs 7.5-8 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Red Beryl leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Red Beryl typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, raspberry-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Red Beryl vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside red beryl
Minerals reported to co-occur with red beryl. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5-8
- Density
- 2.66-2.70 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Imperfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Gemstone, Collector
- Host rock
- Rhyolite
- Typical price
- $1,000-10,000+ per carat depending on quality
Where rockhounds find red beryl
Classic worldwide localities
- Wah Wah Mountains, Utah, USA
- Thomas Range, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in rhyolite country — that is the host setting where red beryl typically forms. If you start seeing topaz, bixbyite, pseudobrookite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find red beryl on the map
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